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In the wake of the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, social media reactions have sparked significant controversy, particularly among educators. Following Kirk's death on September 10, teachers across multiple states have faced disciplinary actions for allegedly posting inflammatory comments online. Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas emphasized that educators' First Amendment rights "do not extend without limit into their professional duties." The backlash has raised concerns about teachers' online speech rights during politically charged events. In Massachusetts, Wachusett Regional school district Superintendent James Reilly announced the district had asked for additional police patrols on its campuses after a teacher was accused of making “inappropriate comments on her personal social media page.” In a letter posted on the district's web page, Reilly said the teacher was under investigation and barred from campus, adding that “political violence, especially, has no place in our country, and it directly contradicts our nation's founding principles.” With investigations continuing, union leaders like Florida Education Association President Andrew Spar are urging educators to be mindful of their public statements, highlighting the stress teachers face in discussing current events.

 

Education Week News

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At the New York City Autism Charter School, virtual reality (VR) is revolutionizing education for autistic students. Teacher Heidi Brueckmann utilizes the VR program Floreo to enhance social skills, allowing students to engage in interactive scenarios that teach turn-taking and impulse control. Research supports VR's effectiveness, highlighting its ability to improve social skills by providing immersive experiences. “If I have two kiddos who both have some deficits in their social skills, it can get a little muddy,” Brueckmann noted, emphasizing the individualized attention VR allows. The technology is becoming more accessible, with lighter, affordable headsets being used in over 100 schools across the U.S. Despite challenges like cost and insurance coverage, partnerships and grants are helping schools implement these innovative tools.

 

Chalkbeat

Recent research reveals that while school funding reforms have successfully reduced financial disparities between high- and low-income districts, they have not effectively addressed racial and ethnic inequalities. Emily Rauscher, a sociology professor at Brown University and co-author of the study published in Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, stated: “I was expecting that these same reforms would also reduce inequality by race and ethnicity. To my surprise, they did not.” The study analyzed funding changes across 40 states from 1990 to 2022, finding that the funding gap between districts with the highest and lowest percentages of Black students actually widened by $900 per pupil. The findings suggest that achieving equity in school funding requires more than state-level reforms, calling for coordinated efforts from the U.S. Department of Education to address these persistent disparities.

 

Education Week News

Alabama education leaders are advocating for a 6% budget increase, totaling $6.7bn from the Education Trust Fund, to support school security, teacher stipends, and essential reading and math reforms. State Superintendent Eric Mackey noted: “Essentially that eats up all the growth that's expected in the budget,” due to rising health insurance costs for state employees. The proposal includes funding for the Alabama Numeracy Act and the Alabama Reading Initiative, alongside new initiatives for struggling readers and career tech programs. However, there are no proposed pay raises for educators, as salary increases are typically suggested by the governor. The board plans to finalize the proposal at its October meeting before submitting it to the legislature by November 1.

 

Al.com

Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) has reported an increase in student attendance this year, with 48,823 students attending school at least once by the 11th day of the school year, compared to 48,386 last year. Superintendent Nikolai Vitti noted: “As of Day 11, we are trending 437 students more than last year and 1,422 more students as compared to two years ago.” Overall, 52,505 K-12 students are enrolled in DPSCD, although Vitti emphasized the importance of attendance over enrollment figures. The district is focused on improving attendance, especially in light of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding the training of paraprofessionals in special education, with calls for better preparation to ensure safety and effective support for students.

 

Chalkbeat

Students at Utah Valley University are grappling with trauma and fear following the shooting of Charlie Kirk. One student, Marjorie Holt, expressed her distress, stating: “Returning to campus is going to feel like a terrible — like a burden on my heart.” The suspect, Tyler James Robinson, is in custody, but questions remain about his motive and security failures that allowed the attack. As the community mourns, increased security measures are planned for when classes resume. Memorials have sprung up on campus, with students seeking solace in shared grief. The incident has sparked discussions about civility in political discourse, highlighting the ongoing tensions in American society.

 

Los Angeles Times

The Philadelphia Board of Education has approved a new three-year contract for the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, which includes annual 3% raises and a one-time $1,400 bonus. This historic contract also introduces paid parental leave for teachers and ends the controversial sick leave policy known as 3-5-7-9. However, the board has expressed concerns over the ongoing state budget impasse, which they warn will negatively impact resources for students. Board member Joyce Wilkerson described it as “a disgrace,” emphasizing the urgent need for funding. The board has authorized borrowing up to $1.55 billion to cover costs, with potential interest payments reaching $30m, which could equate to over 200 teacher salaries. The district relies heavily on state funding, with 53% of its budget coming from it, making the current situation unsustainable.

 

Chalkbeat

Classified employees at Vancouver Public Schools in Washington state have voted to authorize a strike, as announced by the Vancouver Association of Educational Support Professionals on social media. The union, representing around 600 workers, including paraeducators and clerks, cites class sizes as a primary concern. Negotiations between the union and the district will continue, but no strike date has been set.

 

The Columbian

Columbus City Schools is contemplating significant changes to its transportation system due to a financial crisis. During a recent board meeting, members recommended removing the requirement to transport high school students, which could save the district $7.2m annually. Board President Michael Cole emphasized the need to ensure "every student has the opportunity to be transported," exploring options like using Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) buses. The district faces a projected $10m penalty for noncompliance with transportation regulations for charter and nonpublic students by fiscal year 2025. With a budget that allocates 6.2% to transportation, the district is under pressure to align expenses with peer districts. The district's lottery system remains popular, with nearly 20,000 applications each year, but the financial challenges are prompting a reevaluation of priorities.

 

The Columbus Dispatch

The University of California, Berkeley is currently under investigation by the Trump administration, which has requested information on 160 faculty members and students regarding alleged antisemitic incidents. The university stated that it is subject to oversight by federal and state agencies, and "routinely receive document requests in connection with government audits, compliance reviews, or investigations." Critics argue that the government's actions equate legitimate criticism of Israel with antisemitism, raising concerns about free speech and academic freedom. A spokesperson emphasized UC's commitment to protecting the privacy of its community while fulfilling legal obligations. The investigation follows similar probes into other universities, with significant settlements already reached.

 

U.S. News

A census carried out by the Independent Schools Council (ISC) has found that the number of American children being taught in British private schools has risen by 25% since 2020, reaching 5,117 this year, behind only China and Hong Kong. Henry Faber from consultancy Oppidan Education said he is seeing "unprecedented interest from American families who view a British education not only as academically rigorous but also a launchpad to the Ivy League and beyond." Wellington College head James Dahl notes speculation that "there are families perhaps of a more liberal persuasion who are not sure any more whether the American education system or indeed America is a place where they want their sons and daughters to be in school."

 

The Times of London

With the Taliban prohibiting women from attending college in Afghanistan, Bahara Saghari aimed for higher education in the U.S. After years of practicing English, she secured admission to a college in Illinois, but her plans were thwarted by President Donald Trump's travel ban. “You think that finally you are going to your dream, and then something came up and, like, everything's just gone,” Saghari expressed. Thousands of students are affected by the travel ban, facing delays in visa applications and uncertainty about their legal status. Pouya Karami, a 17-year-old from Iran, also had to defer his admission to Pittsburg State University due to the ban, stating, “I'm doing everything I can about it.” The situation highlights the challenges faced by international students amid changing immigration policies.

 

The Columbian